The injured include a US Congresswoman, and among the dead is a US District Judge and a nine-year-old girl. Tonight, US lawmakers and others from Kentucky are reacting to the shooting.

Tucson police took 22-year-old Jared Loughner into custody shortly after the shootings. Among those injured - US Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Congressman Ben Chandler calls Giffords "...a leader in the House, a force in the Blue Dog Coalition, a strong advocate for her constituents..." His prayers for her, her family, and the victims and families of the other 17 involved are joined with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. On Twitter, Senator McConnell called Saturday's shootings a senseless attack and national tragedy. He tweeted, "...all America mourns those who lost their lives in the very act of public service."

"Politicians want to be with the people, they want to talk to the people, they want to be heard, they want to be seen as approachable. At the same time you have people out there who would approach politicians and obviously do them harm," says Dr. Daniel Phillips, a criminal justice professor at Lindsey Wilson College.

Dr. Phillips says Saturday's shooting may have politicians nation-wide evaluating public meetings.

"They may find it's better to have things inside where people pass through metal detectors and guns aren't allowed," says Dr. Phillips.